Grace N. Rivera, Ph.D.

Much of my research is guided by an interest in how lay-theories (i.e., beliefs people hold about the way the world works) influence the way we approach life and the people around us. Specifically, I have examined lay beliefs concerning true selves, American meritocracy, and  about the heritability of human characteristics. These beliefs are not necessarily rooted in fact and are largely shaped by our cultural context and social identities. Yet, the lay beliefs we hold can have profound impacts on various individual and interpersonal outcomes, such as psychological well-being, parenting, goal pursuit, and personal relationships.